Their season is over, and the next stop for Patterson, flashy guard John Wall and imposing center DeMarcus Cousins could be the NBA after the Wildcats' season ended with a thud. Kentucky's high-tempo offense was stymied by an intimidating West Virginia defense in a 73-66 loss in the East Regional final on Saturday.

Wall and Cousins finished the game on the bench. Wall fouled out with 51 seconds left, and Cousins was on the sideline for the final three minutes because the top-seeded Wildcats needed outside shooters.

The freshmen already have indicated their intention to enter the NBA after only one college season, barring a significant change of heart.

Wall already is being pegged as a potential No. 1 pick, and the 6-foot-11 Cousins is projected to go in the first round.

And Patterson, a 6-9 forward who considered entering the draft last year, also is likely to go after he spoke at length Friday about approaching every game like it's his last in college.

Wall, the national freshman of the year, finished with 19 points. Cousins had 15 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes.

It was a stunning end for a team that accomplished so much while putting Big Blue back on the basketball map in Calipari's first year since taking over following Billy Gillispie's dismissal.

The Wildcats (35-2) finished one win short of matching the school record set by the Adolph Rupp-coached team that went 36-3 in 1947-48. And they enjoyed their deepest run in the tournament since 2005, when they lost to Michigan State 94-88 in overtime in a regional final.

Kentucky fans standing behind the Wildcats' bench were anxious and frustrated, standing with their arms crossed with their team trailing 51-42 in the second half. Not even actress and alum Ashley Judd's presence could provide a spark as she regularly shook a blue and white pompom and cheered.

The bench didn't look much happier for most of the second half as players sat with their hands on their chins.

That included Cousins, who barely reacted when teammate Darnell Dodson hit a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left to cut the Mountaineers' lead to 70-66.

Wall got off to a slow start and lost his composure after teammate DeAndre Liggins was issued a technical foul for complaining to an official late in the first half. Voicing his own complaint, Wall then drew a warning from referee Curtis Shaw.

At the end of the half, Shaw was spotted at the Kentucky bench warning a team official about Wall.

Things didn't get any better for the Wildcats at the start of the second half.

In a three-possession stretch, freshman Eric Bledsoe missed two free throws and a 3-point shot, Cousins missed a chance for a putback and picked up his third foul by slapping Da'Sean Butler, and Wall had a turnover.

In the meantime, the Mountaineers hit their first three shots, including two 3-pointers, to build a 36-26 edge.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.